Seeking to build “greater lane density to improve utilization and yields through more efficient dispatch and capacity allocation,” Heartland Express Inc. announced it is acquiring Interstate Distributer Co. (IDC) of Tacoma, WA, from Saltchuk Resources.
Are you ready for electric vehicles? A new report from Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) says that electric vehicle (EV) sales will account for 33% of all light-duty vehicles on the road by 2040.
Following a disappointing retreat in orders in May, Class 8 truck orders rose in June according to data just released. That reinforces the outlook for the remainder of 2017 as many of the orders are for fourth quarter delivery, according to FTR.
Shut downs of operating systems due to cyberattacks are complete handicaps for logistics companies and lead to significant amounts of lost business as well as productivity. But can they be prevented?
The trucking turnover rate at truckload fleets remains near historical lows, but it did tick up a bit in the first quarter of 2017, said the American Trucking Associations.
The Department of Transportation has revised and renamed its FASTLane program to “align [projects] with national and regional economic vitality goals and to leverage additional non-federal funding,” it said.
The logistics of transporting fresh produce from fields and warehouses to store shelves is already complicated by regulations and the seasonal nature of the products, but Amazon’s entry into the market could further complicate the journey.
The first unofficial pictures of Waymo’s self-driving truck have emerged, creating a stir among the companies racing to become the first to make a production autonomous truck available.
Across the nation, rising freight volumes, a strong produce season and the ongoing oil boom are driving up spot rates, but how long will the current trend continue?
According to research from KPMG and HfS Research, more companies than ever are outsourcing their supply chain and logistics services as the job of moving product becomes more complicated.
Stanford researchers have successfully charged an object while it was in motion, potentially leading to in-motion charging of vehicles in the future. “The hope is that you’ll be able to charge your electric car while you’re driving down the highway,” says Shanhui Fan, professor of electrical engineering at Stanford.
Researchers from the National Academies of Science, following a mandate from Congress, have recommended changes to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Compliance, Safety, Accountabilty (CSA) program.
A new market analysis by Noel Perry, truck & transportation expert for FTR Transportation Intelligence, argues the economics of 33-foot doubles – and, based solely on economic reasons, there is a valid case, Perry says.
After five days, the port truckers strike in Los Angeles and Long Beach came to an end on Friday with striking truckers delivering a petition with 10,000 signatures on it to LA Mayor Eric Garcetti and Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia.
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg visited the Iowa 80 truck stop last week, taking time to talk to truck drivers and learn about life on the road. Also, Amazon wants to build a drone platform, a lack of warehouse space and J.B. Hunt tests augmented reality.
TaaS seems like another in a long line of acronyms that have infiltrated the transportation industrypromising to disrupt the world as we know it. But what is TaaS, and why will this be an acronym that might deliver on its promise?
The Los Angeles Times Editorial Board has weighed in on the port truckers’ strike taking place in Los Angeles and Long Beach. Its opinion: clean up emissions at the ports, but don’t put the financial burden to do so on truckers.
While many fleets simply trade in their older equipment for newer equipment and forget about it, the value of used trucks can influence how many new trucks you can buy. That’s why paying attention to the used market can be a good financial strategy for determining trade cycles.
Seven fleets will participate in the North American Council for Freight Efficiency’s Run on Less program to showcase the benefits of fuel-saving technologies.
DAT has been one of the leading data providers for load and rate information for years thanks to its large database. Now, the company’s data is being used in even more ways, reinforcing the value the overall dataset provides.
Facing increasing pressure from investors, Uber CEO and co-founder Travis Kalanick stepped down Tuesday night from the $70 billion ride-sharing and transportation company.
The Trump administration has proposed less federal spending as part of his $1 trillion infrastructure investment outline. In a recent Tax and Budget Bulletin, the Cato Institute’s Chris Edwards lays out the argument for why Trump’s approach to less federal spending is the proper approach to building world-class infrastructure.
Citing the need to cover additional costs during peak holiday shipping periods, UPS has announced a new peak surcharge that will be added to packages shipped during certain weeks this holiday season.
Teamsters union Local 848 has initiated a strike at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach today to protest what they say is misclassification of their employment as independent contractors.
Amazon sent shock waves through the grocery business on Friday with its announcement that it will acquire Whole Foods in a deal valued at $13.7 billion, which includes assumption of Whole Foods’ debt. But the purchase may be giving Amazon something even more valuable than Whole Foods’ customers – a distribution network.
After a few years of “rest” XPO Logistics is again in acquisition mode. CEO Bradley Jacobs, speaking at a supply chain conference in Chicago, says the company is looking for potential takeover targets, including options in Europe.
In another step into the food space, Amazon has announced it will buy Whole Foods for $13.4 billion plus debt, giving the e-tailer a physical presence in the $700 to $800 billion consumer grocery world. But like many things with Amazon, the end game may be something different.
A Buzzfeed writer has turned President Donald Trump’s visit with trucking leaders into a kids book. Also, manufacturing output declines and the uneven economy is causing some questions to be asked by trucking executives.
Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed in a Bloomberg interview on Tuesday that the company is working on autonomous technology, further fueling speculation that the software giant is developing a self-driving Apple car.
The Federal Reserve voted to increase its key interest rate today, upping the rate 0.25% to a target of 1% to 1.5%. The increase, while small, could have a profound impact on trucking companies, shippers and consumers.
President Donald Trump’s apprenticeship program may provide an avenue to solving the truck driver shortage issue. But to make it work, it will require a little give on the government’s part.
In Pakistan, drivers care so much for their trucks that they turn them into works of art. Also, NATSO opposes rest stop privatization plan, working with robots and the path to better trade deals.
The lifeblood for many small trucking companies and independent truckers is the load board. There is no shortage of load boards, and differentiating between them can be difficult. For truckers who handle bulk products, though, finding loads on a generic load board can be time consuming. That’s what Bulkloads.com is trying to change.
A group of more than 250 House lawmakers are pushing for any tax reform package to include a permanent fix to the Highway Trust Fund. Also, Trump pushes apprenticeships, Britain’s Brexit problem and manufacturing hitting record levels.
Claiming the upcoming ELD mandate violated the 4th Amendment, OOIDA had asked the Supreme Court to hear the case. The Court has declined to do so, allowing the rule to go into effect in December.
In its latest State of the Freight webinar last week, FTR experts laid out their expectations and timelines for freight disruption, and as expected, sections were devoted to NAFTA and autonomous trucks.
The nation is about to heat up starting this weekend, and that could drive more volatility to already rising spot rates for agricultural haulers and shippers.
Do you have money to invest? If so, Martin Tillier has some advice: the time may be right to invest in trucking and logistics company stocks. Tillier notes that money spent on infrastructure will improve the fortunes of an industry that counts infrastructure as a critical piece to getting its job done.
Commonly considered a driver protection rule, the federal coercion rule institutes large fines for companies that pressure drivers to drive in violation of federal regulations, including hours of service. But is it working?
On Tuesday, during the company’s shareholder meeting, Tesla founder Elon Musk updated investors on a number of initiatives and pushed back against critics of the Tesla Semi electric truck. Also, when is a fuel tax on a fuel tax, and inside the supply chain’s tech revolution.
The battle between Amazon and Walmart took another turn when Amazon announced it would begin offering discounted Prime memberships to those on U.S. government assistance. That could pull shoppers, and freight, from Walmart.
Since 2010 EPA emissions regulations went into effect, it has been said that in some areas of the country, the emissions released by heavy-duty trucks are actually cleaner than the air they are emitted into. But a new study by researchers at UC-Riverside calls that into question.
Many larger carriers already require their drivers to use ELDs, but for smaller carriers that make up the majority of the industry, the implementation of ELDs and their associated cost could be a game-changer. This infographic highlights some of the key facts around ELDs, their impact on operations, and potential solutions to mitigate those impacts.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has proposed a pilot program on truck driver split-sleeper berth time and hot it affects driver safety performance and fatigue. Also, a new driver training rule has gone into effect and how do you value truck manufacturers?
If past Roadcheck trends hold true, shippers moving flatbed loads will face higher rates because of this year’s inspection blitz. But they won’t be the only ones impacted by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s annual safety campaign, which begins today and runs through June 8.
When capacity is tight, spot market rates increase, and that hurts brokers. There are other factors that affect rates, of course, but 3PLs have had few options to manage the underlying fundamentals that so negatively hurt their businesses. That is about to change.
After months of talking about his $1 trillion infrastructure improvement plan, President Donald Trump is finally set to unveil more details on the proposal today. Also, transportation’s best CEOs and there were fewer trucking jobs in May.
President Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Accord could have a profound effect on global efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, but will probably have little impact on the U.S. trucking industry.
Walmart is testing a program where store associates will deliver online purchases, which could have a major impact on package delivery companies. Also, Waymo is testing a self-driving truck and monthly freight index climbs.
A petition has been filed asking EPA to reconsider its Phase 2 GHG rules based on a procedural step that may have been missed. Also, spot rates climb and cargo theft remains a top concern.
Headlines are declaring the death of the truck driver at the hands of the autonomous truck. But what if that doesn’t happen? Looking deeper into reports of job losses finds that significant impacts are likely 20 years away – if at all.
J.B. Hunt is investing $2.75 million in the University of Arkansas for creation of the J.B. Hunt Innovation Center of Excellence. The center will allow students to work with J.B. Hunt employees to solve real-word supply-chain problems. Also, tips on surviving a ransomware attack, consumer spending rises, and if there are so many jobs available, where are the workers?
In 2015, the trucking industry experienced over 996 million hours of delay because of congestion, which is equivalent to 362,243 commercial truck drivers sitting idle for an entire working year, at a cost of $63.4 billion. Here are some more facts about congestion.
McKinsey & Company has recently issued a report on potential impacts to the trucking and rail freight industries in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The report, “Four forces to watch in trucking and rail freight,” identifies critical structural issues that executives must pay attention to in the immediate future.
The improvements in 3D printing technology has boosted the hopes that one day supply chains will become shorter as products are printer on-demand in close proximity to end users. Deutsche Post DHL Group and IT logistics provider Axit recently showcased how replacement parts could be produced and shipped in the same day.
A federal judge who found UPS guilty back in March of illegally shipping cigarettes on Thursday ordered the package delivery giant to pay $247 million in damages and penalties to New York state and New York City.
The news out of the Middle East on Thursday that OPEC would continue recent production cuts in an effort to boost oil prices may have upset some oil traders, but it shouldn’t have much effect on diesel fuel prices at the pumps, according to experts.
A Chinese e-commerce company wants to make deliveries weighing as much as 1 ton with drones. JD.com is already delivering smaller packages in rural villages. Also in the news, FMCSA officials will be meeting to discuss regulatory relief for the industry and GM is facing allegations it used defeat devices to bypass diesel emissions regs on its pickups.
If it seems that freight brokerage – both digital and traditional services – are popping up on a daily basis, it could be because they are, or it at least it seems that way. Digital freight matchers (DFMs) include familiar names such as Convoy, CargoMatic, Haulfox and HaulHound. But what if you want to enter the space? Here are some tips on how to be successful as a DFM.
Flatbed hauler Daseke has decided to put some stock in its employees – literally. The publicly held company announced it will set aside 1 million shares of common stock with a current value of $9.9 million for employees. Also, a list of the world’s largest transportation companies and news on a lawsuit involving Swift.
President Donald Trump’s budget proposal released Wednesday calls for a loosening of restrictions on tolls, more private investment in infrastructure, cuts a critical loan program used by manufacturers to build fuel-efficient vehicles, and reduces workforce training grants that are used to train truck drivers and other transportation workers.
While FMCSA’s electronic logging device (ELD) rule seems like a done deal, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) has not thrown in the towel quite yet. Also, Republicans continue pushing for border adjustment tax, tonnage falls, and a new approach to truck safety.
Since its founding, LinkeDrive has become synonymous with driver performance coaching. Its PedalCoach product has helped thousands of drivers achieve higher fuel efficiency and boost safety performance. It turns out, though, that the data it is generating has a lot more potential.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is again delaying a rule that many in the industry asked for – entry-level driver training. Also, a look at what life is like on the road for drivers, battery technology could extend vehicle range and UPS to add peak seasonal volume charges.
With the summer months quickly approaching and bringing with them, many hope, more home building and construction jobs, flatbed haulers are hoping to continue the momentum they have built early in 2017.
“If you look back at the DAT truck data, which is essentially the NASDAQ of truck freight brokerage, you would know ahead of time,” Donald Broughton told CNBC, explaining why the firm’s data is a good indicator of economic trends.
The cost of traffic congestion each year to the transportation industry is staggering. In 2015, the industry experienced over 996 million hours of delay because of congestion. ATRI determined the cost to be $63.4 billion, or $63.70 operational cost per hour for trucking. But going inside the numbers tells an even deeper tale of the cost to society.
The recent surge in U.S. oil drilling has helped keep gas and diesel prices depressed, despite oil production cuts by OPEC. This infographic provides a quick glimpse of what is happening in the sector.
The Northeast has exited a period of cloudy, rainy weather that has held down freight volumes into and out of the region. That is just one of the weather-related stories this week that have affected rates across the nation.
The expansion of fuel cell trucks is continuing, with an announcement from Ballard Power Systems that its 85-kilowatt fuel cell engine will power a Class 8 Kenworth drayage truck at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Also, Uber Freight launches, a fuel tax hike is still on the table and Amazon pushes furniture.
Any trucker knows the importance of directions. Have the right ones, and there is a good chance you can arrive on time. But incorrect directions, and not only will you be delayed, but your employer may be out money for that late arrival. A new app is hoping to change that.
Volvo Group is testing a self-driving refuse truck. The truck allows a driver to walk behind the vehicle collecting refuse container. Also, it may be easier to test truck drivers for sleep apnea following a court ruling and the prospects for industry growth are perking up.
“If the thesis is that all of these small carriers who’ve been running illegally will be put out of business were they to comply with this mandate, there is no incentive for them to comply.” That is part of the reasoning that Stifel analysts have used to suggest the ELD mandate will not drive up shipping rates.
Good morning. Hope the roads are clear where you are today. As it turns out, that is not often the case for many of us. The American Transportation Research Institute reported that congestion on U.S. roadways cost the trucking industry $63.4 billion in 2015 and resulted in 996 million hours of lost productivity, which is equal to 362,243 truck drivers sitting idle for an entire year.
A boom in U.S. oil production is not only helping keep fuel prices low, but it is driving more trucking business. The addition of a 2-rig, 8-well design could drive between “5,850 to 8,905 truckloads of equipment, drilling fluids, sand, water, etc.”
FedEx said it was victimized by the massive cyber attack on Friday that hit businesses in an estimated 100 countries. Also, more venture capital money is flowing into trucking and 3-D printers may be altering the movement of freight in the near future.
This Week in Trucking, the U.S. and China have announced a trade deal centering on natural gas, financial services and beef. Also, a renewed push is on to approve hair testing in driver drug screenings and the rapid rise in last-mile delivery services is leading to plenty of new entries to the market.
While in-store sales have been declining in recent years, retail sales as a whole have not due to growth in e-commerce. That is resulting in a shift in freight movement, with more heading to a growing number of distribution centers and less heading to brick-and-mortar stores.
There has been a narrative in the U.S. that retail is dying a quick death. The reality is that is just not true. So far in 2017, there have been nearly as many store openings announced as store closings. This FreightWaves infographic details some of the trends in retail and how trucking is responding.
A Court of Appeals has granted a 90-day delay requested by EPA and NHTSA in a lawsuit brought by the Truck Trailer Manufacturer’s Association over the government’s Phase 2 Greenhouse Gas regulations. EPA requested the delay in part so that it can review the rule, throwing some uncertainty into implementation of the rule.
In a connected society, the transparency of items moving through the supply chain is a critical component of shipping best practices. From manufacturer, to trucking company, to end customer, the tracking of goods ensures timely delivery and top customer service ratings. OmniTrails is poised to lead to next revolution in this arena with its micro-location tracking solutions.
They say farm to fork, but without trucks, the farm never makes it to the stores, much less the fork. And that’s why ag haulers are so in tune with their shipping partners. When farmers suffer from crop delays for any reason – trucking is affected.
Ready or not, truck platooning is inching closer to reality. And it offers a real chance at fuel savings. Research suggests that trucks running in platoons can save between 4% and 10% in fuel depending on their position in the platoon. Read more about how Peloton is moving the industry closer to vehicle platoons: Peloton set to debut truck platoons later this year.
This Week in Trucking, Elon Musk adds some details to his electric Tesla Semi program; the U.S. trade gap with Mexico is growing larger and Amazon faces a carrier lawsuit for refusing to pay shipping fees.
The Republican health care bill has received both criticism and applause from a divided nation. But what does it do for trucking? Well, like the rest of the nation, that may depend on what side of the industry you are on.
To show off its Project Portal prototype hydrogen fuel cell Class 8 tractor, Toyota recorded the vehicle in a drag race against a similarly equipped diesel-powered tractor.
UPS has announced an expansion of its large alternative vehicle fleet with the addition of hydrogen fuel cell delivery trucks. The vehicles will be in operation in California later this year.
To highlight the impact weather can have on trucking, and to highlight their new partnership, TransFX, which is seeking to offer trucking freight futures contracts, and Riskpulse, a supply chain risk analytics firm, have produced an infographic that provides a few surprising facts about weather-related delays.
Unlike autonomous vehicles, a driver remains in ultimate control of a truck while in platoon formation. Because of this, it is likely that two-truck platooning will be available to fleets later this year.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been teasing audiences for months on the company’s secretive electric truck project. At a TED Conference in Vancouver, Musk posted this shadowed picture of what the truck may look like.
This Week in Trucking, the EPA has filed a court brief seeking a delay in a challenge to its greenhouse gas regulations, leading to speculation that the agency may review the upcoming Phase 2 rules. Also, the government has acknowledged it is lacking answers for regulating automated vehicles, Amazon jumps into the driverless vehicle arena and the economy is off to a slow start in 2017.
Whether you are a large or small trucking company, or even a driver, there is a lot to like about President Donald Trump’s proposed tax plan, even if many of the specifics are lacking at this point.
President Donald Trump’s decision to place softwood lumber tariffs on Canada this week might be an indication that the administration is set for a reset on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It is a gamble that potentially puts billions of dollars in NAFTA trade shipments at risk – much of it hauled by trucks.
Much has been written about Tesla’s electric truck project and while opinions vary on the viability of a heavy-duty electric semi, some are wondering if the truck is only a vehicle to reach a different end game for Elon Musk.
Toyota Motor North America announced its Project Portal hydrogen fuel cell powertrain this week. The engine produces 670 hp. and can pull an 80,000-lb. pound, the company said. Vehicle tests will take place at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, hauling cargo between the two sites.
This Week in Trucking, the CEO of Old Dominion Freight Line suggests boosting federal fuel taxes to pay for infrastructure improvements and Texas is the first state to require ELDs for intrastate commercial drivers. Also, Toyota unveils a hydrogen fuel cell Class 8 tractor.
For anyone in the trucking industry, there is one constant: change. Rates change. Customers change. Freight flows change. But why is there so much change? This graphic answers some of those questions.
Is the trucking industry over-regulated? Good luck finding anyone in the industry that would say no. But ask which regulations should be repealed and chances are each one will be mentioned at least once. But will repealing regulations actually make the industry safer?
Trucking fleets have been hit with a series of equipment price increases in recent years due to new government regulations, including thousands of dollars for tractors due to greenhouse gas regulations. The new electronic stability control regulation, though, may be one where the benefit far outweighs its minimal cost.
Since last summer, Elon Musk has been teasing Tesla fans with word the company is building an electric “semi truck.” What form, shape and size that truck will take is still under wraps, but at least now we have a more definitive timeframe.
